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Franciscan Prayer: Prayer for the start of a retreat
Taking time to rest in the Lord
As the new year begins, I’ve noticed that many people plan their holidays early. These breaks help them to rest, reconnect, and spend intentional time alone or with loved ones. Similarly, we need time apart for our spiritual lives. Retreats offer us the opportunity to...
Conference Presidents meet in Rome
The Franciscan world is sectioned into 12 conferences for better management and collaboration. Two are in Asia Pacific – EAC: East Asia Conference with eight entities, and SAAOC: South Asia, Australia, Oceania Conference with 12 entities, of which I serve as...
A renewal of mind and heart to better walk with others
Romans 12:2 reminds us, “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.” This verse encapsulates the transformative journey I made through the...
St Anthony’s Bread (January 2025)
A fast of joy this Advent?
This Advent, as we approach the Year of Jubilee as pilgrims of Hope, we might consider making the period a fast of joy. We would do this not merely as a penitential act for the expiation of our past sins, but to express our hopeful hunger for a better reality,...
Following the poor and crucified Christ
Early in 2024, I made the decision to apply for my Solemn Profession, and a date was set. However, our ways are not God’s ways, and the original date was changed to 17 September, the Feast of the Stigmata of St Francis of Assisi. This year is the 800th anniversary of...
Meeting of the Franciscan Network for Peace and Integral Ecology in Asia
In October, a group of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) animators gathered in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah to discuss the shape and function of the new Franciscan Network for Peace and Integral Ecology in Asia, and how it can respond to JPIC issues in the...
Fasting at Advent
Did you know that St Francis of Assisi prescribed fasting from the Feast of All Saints until Christmas, which means about the time of Advent? This prescription was included in both the Earlier Rule of 1221 (a more scriptural and biblical version of Francis’ Rule of...